The Conservative Party of Canada’s first official English language leadership debate is tonight in Edmonton.
The six candidates seeking the top job will be debating one another in what could be a defining evening. These six candidates will square off in an English leadership debate on May 11 in Edmonton.
Former political journalist Tom Clark will moderate the debate.
The two-hour debate will focus on candidates, the party says, adding that the debate committee’s mandate is to “educate, engage and energize Canadians” about the race.
The candidates are: Pierre Poilievre, Jean Charest, Patrick Brown, Scott Aitchison, Roman Baber and Leslyn Lewis.
Poilievre – who has drawn crowds in recent events- is running to give ‘Canadians their country back.’
Jean Charest, who comes across as very experienced, served as the 29th premier of Quebec from 2003 to 2012 and was the fifth deputy prime minister of Canada in 1993. He is ‘the conservative voice that can bring our movement together around common cause issues that champion our values”.
Candidates had to submit $300,000 required in registration fees and a compliance deposit, along with signatures from 500 party members.
Patrick Brown is a ‘fighter, leader and winner.’
Scott Aitchison is running to ‘bring respect back to politics in Ottawa.’
“Roman was born and lived in the former Soviet Union until he was almost 9. He then lived in Israel until he immigrated to Canada with his family at age 15 and settled in the heart of the North Toronto district he now represents. Roman obtained a BA from York University and graduated from law school at the University of Western Ontario.”
Elusive to media chats, Leslyn Lewis is the only female and BIPOC candidate in the race. According to her website: “she believes that Canada is only strong when all Canadians have a voice, and where we can all unite in forging a Canada where we all have an equal opportunity to optimize our potential. This goal. sees all Canadians as equal under the law: where race, religion, creed, orientation, and political affiliation are no longer used to divide us”.
The Conservatives will announce their new leader on Sept. 10.
Chand Gul seeks the Alberta NDP Nomination for Edmonton-South West
